Sage Kanada

Sage Kanad was world’s first proponent of “Atomic Theory”.  He lived in 6th century BCE.  Ulka was his father and his original name was Kashyapa. Seeing his interest in minute particles, Sage Somashama gave the name Kanada to Kashyapa.

Works :

His works include Vaishashika, the celebrated Atomic Theory.  He proposed the Atomic Thoery of matter in a very systematic manner.  As per Vaisheshika Sutra, the atoms are eternal, infinitesimal. He stated that the atom is indivisible and the world is made up of atoms.  He stated that each Paramanu has tendancy to combine with another. So when two Paramanus combined the result would be Dwinuka (Bi-atomic). Similarly when four Paramanu or two Dwinuka combine the result would be Chaturanuka or quadruple atom.

He stated that an object appears to be light in water than air because the density of water is greater than density of air.

Sage Kanada’s Sutras were far more advanced than those proposed by Greek philosophers a few centuries later. Perhaps, these Indian ideas could have traveled to Greek during interactions between Indians and Greeks.